Archive

With this terrible economy, are churches able to grow? St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran church in York has in a big way. They recently completed a 4 million dollar expansion and renovation project. The project included a new pipe organ, a 3 story elevator, new restrooms, new childcare and office suites and 60 additional parking spaces. The last renovation had occurred in 1968. The restrooms and offices specifically needed modernization. Rev. Kevin Shively commented on the project, “It allows us to continue to reach out to the community.”

What would you do if doctors told you that your baby would not live much past birth? Mark and Kristin Cote, of Millersville prayed that their unborn child would be a servant. When she was born, Victoria Grace only lived 6 days, but her legacy has become much more than her fragile little body’s birth defect. Mark, while on a missions trip to Peru saw that children were dying due to lack of easily accessible medicines and knew how to continue his dear daughter’s legacy. The family set up a fund and ministry called Victoria’s Little Lambs. In its first 6 months the ministry helped 60 children. Since then the ministry has also expanded to Ethiopia and helps approximately 45 children a month. The Cote family recently visited Peru and was amazed at how many children were being helped by Victoria’s Little Lambs. Mark Cote commented, “One thing we continually marvel at is, now that she’s gone, how her legacy is impacting the nations, even one so far away and seemingly so different than the U.S. And that’s a lesson of how God can fully use a servant who belongs to him.” For more information or to donate you can contact Zion Church of Millersville, 317 N. George St. Millersville, PA 17551.

Can worshipping help you know what to do with your life? For Rev. Richard Cowles Jr. it did. While singing an anthem at Moravian College, he felt called to go into pastoral ministry. His journey, which has been mostly in upstate New York, has led him to Church of the Apostles UCC in Lancaster. Rev. Cowles is excited about his new position at Church of the Apostles. He points to an active congregation with a preschool program, a food pantry and a concert series. Rev. Cowles believes that this church can make a big impact on the local community. He sees music as a big part of that. Rev. Cowles says, “I love to use music as a source of joy and sustenance in times of trouble and to help build up community.”

Can sports and faith really mix? At Faith and Family Nights with the Lancaster Barnstormers, they sure do! Faith and Family Nights allow for Christian musicians to perform to people who may not normally hear the message they are delivering. Past performers at these games have been, Steven Courtney, Matt Goss, Brett Rush and Chuck Gibson. Brett Rush said of the importance of his performance, “Music gives me the opportunity to communicate truth into people’s lives.” Barnstormer players have also offered testimonies into how their faith has affected their lives. Brian Radle, director of entertainment was approached by a fan during a Faith and Family Night who told Radle he was, “happy they were doing this.” The next Faith and Family night will feature Salt and Light, a rock/funk/jazz/gospel group from Lancaster and will take place on Saturday, Saturday, September 9th at 5:45pm. For more info visit LancasterBarnstormers.com.

Can one letter really make a difference in someone’s life? Rasheen Glover found out that it can. Glover, a former drug dealer, received a letter from someone in prison that he knew from his years on the streets. Through correspondence, his friend in prison became saved. Glover says he can see a difference in his entire view of life. In an effort to help others come to Christ, Glover held “Rack da Reservoir” last year and six people came to Christ through his testimony. This year, “Rock da Reservoir” will be held Saturday August 20th in Reservoir Park in Lancaster. Glover hopes to continue reaching people who are living in the lifestyle he formerly lived in. Glover says that people who are living in that lifestyle can relate to his testimony and be changed to live for Christ.

Can God really use me despite what I have done and where I have been? Amy Frey didn’t think so until a street evangelist approached her and told her she would do great things for God. After the encounter, Frey was imprisoned in Philadelphia, but the evangelist’s words stuck with her. She was visited by her estranged husband and a member of her church while in prison and began to believe that God could love her. Upon her release, Frey and her husband reunited, found an apartment and she found a job. Frey decided it was time to begin a ministry for the homeless and addicted and named it “A Day of Hope” in honor of the day her life was changed. The ministry is having a kickoff event on Saturday, August 13 at Farnum Park in Lancaster. The event will include a church service and picnic. Frey summed up her hopes by saying, “As long as one person’s life is touched by the day, it will be worth it.”

Have you wondered recently about the local ministries trying to rebuild Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2010? Joe Luers – a local business owner – is not wondering, he’s doing. Luers is a board member of the Source of Life Ministry that helps children in Haiti. After the Haitian Earthquake, the ministry’s safe house in Port-Au-Prince was heavily damaged which caused the staff and children to need temporary housing. In an effort to raise funds to build a new safe house, Luers has agreed to match donations of up to $10,000 dollars through August. He believes this is an opportunity to truly help the children of Haiti. For information or to donate, you can call 717-334-5405 or visit www.Source-of-Life-Ministries.org.

Can you imagine living your life as a missionary in a foreign country and all of a sudden experiencing kidney failure? For Lancaster County native, Randy Umble this was all too real. While serving as a teacher to missionary children in Ecuador, he was told he would need a kidney transplant. Randy’s wife, Melanie, was tested and against high odds was determined to be a match. Randy received his wife’s kidney in April and the Umbles plan to return to Ecuador as soon as the doctor gives Randy a clear bill of health. When asked about his wife’s gift Randy said,”I felt so much love. I was just overwhelmed by her gift.”

Could donating the produce from one row of your garden really make a difference? Joy Olcott knows it does. Joy, with her church-Grace United Methodist Church in Millersvile, organized a garden on the church’s property. The garden, named Garden of Grace, along with individuals from the church, has donated over 2300lbs. of produce to local charities. Kerry Brubaker, of Water Street Ministries-one of the recipients of the produce remarked, “What a joy it was to get (the) produce. It was fresh and looked beautiful, and the people loved it.” The Clare House, because of the donations, has allowed their residents to cook their own meals. Shannon Bower from the Clare House commented on the donations, “Kind deeds change lives.” For more information on Garden of Grace you can call 872-0315 or email hannabb@comcast.net.